New Resource: Aligning Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management with MTSS/PBIS to Enhance School Safety and Student Wellbeing

As schools prepare for the Fall 2025 return, the U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC), in collaboration with the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), is proud to announce the release of a new resource:

‍Aligning Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management with a Multi-tiered System of Support: Building a Continuum of Prevention and Intervention.

This joint publication is designed to support school and district leaders, as well as members of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) and MTSS/PBIS teams, in creating safer and more supportive learning environments. By purposefully aligning BTAM practices with the MTSS/PBIS framework, schools can foster a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to student safety, wellbeing, and school climate.

Why This Matters

The alignment of BTAM and MTSS/PBIS initiatives is mutually beneficial. When implemented together, these frameworks can:

• Promote successful outcomes for all students
• Reduce the risk of harm to the school community
• Support students with disabilities throughout the BTAM process

What’s Inside

This resource includes:

• A clear overview of the critical features and best practices of BTAM
• A description of the essential elements of PBIS
• Practical guidance for implementation, including examples, scenarios, and guiding questions
• Considerations for integrating BTAM and MTSS/PBIS in diverse school contexts

Recognizing that each school’s journey is unique, the document offers flexible strategies to help teams align their efforts in ways that best meet the needs of their students and communities.

Availability

This publication is available for free download and is intended to empower educators and school leaders with actionable insights and tools to strengthen their prevention and intervention systems.